Auger grouted displacement pile

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus place an auger grouted displacement pile or helical pile in soil. The pile has an elongated shaft with at least one lateral compaction protrusion which establishes a regular circumference in the supporting medium. The pile also has a helical blade configured to move the pile into the supporting medium. The bottom of the shaft includes means for forming irregularities in the circumference after compaction by the lateral compaction protrusion. The bore is filled with grout while leaving the pile in the soil.

PRIORITY INFORMATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/577,363, filed on Dec. 19, 2014; said U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/577,363, filed on Dec. 19, 2014, which is acontinuation of and claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 120, from U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/269,595, filed on Oct. 9, 2011; said U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/269,595, filed on Oct. 9, 2011, which isa continuation-in-part of and claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 120,from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/580,004, filed on Oct. 15,2009; said U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/580,004, filed on Oct.15, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority, under35 U.S.C. § 120, from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/852,858, filedSep. 10, 2007, (now abandoned); said U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/852,858, filed Sep. 10, 2007, claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/843,015, filedon Sep. 8, 2006. The entire contents of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/577,363, filed on Dec. 19, 2014; U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/269,595, filed on Oct. 9, 2011; U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/580,004, filed on Oct. 15, 2009; U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/852,858, filed Sep. 10, 2007; and U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/843,015, filed on Sep. 8, 2006 are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

Conventional piles are metal tubes having either a circular or arectangular cross-section. Such piles are mounted in the ground toprovide a support structure for the construction of superstructures. Thepiles are provided in sections, such as seven-foot sections, that aredriven into the ground.

Some piles have a cutting tip that permits them to be rapidly deployed.By rotating the pile, the blade pulls the pile into the ground, thusgreatly reducing the amount of downward force necessary to bury thepile.

For example, a pile may include a tip that is configured to movedownward into the soil at a rate of three inches for every fullrevolution of the pile (three inch pitch). Since pre-drilling operationsare unnecessary, the entire pile may be installed in under ten minutes.Unfortunately, the rotary action of the pile also loosens the soil whichholds the pile in place. This reduces the amount of vertical support thepile provides.

Traditionally, grout is injected around the pile in an attempt tosolidify the volume around the pile and thus compensate for the loosesoil. The current method of grout deployment is less than ideal. Theaddition of grout to the area around the pile typically is uncontrolledand attempts to deploy grout uniformly about the pile have beenunsuccessful. Often the introduction of the grout itself can cause othersoil packing problems, as the soil must necessarily be compressed by theintroduction of the grout.

A new method for introducing grout around a pile would be advantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating various embodimentsand are not to be construed as limiting, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of one embodiment of an augergrouted displacement pile;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate close-up views of the bottom section of apile;

FIGS. 2C-2J illustrate end views of various deformation structures;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate views of a trailing edge of a pile;

FIG. 4 illustrates a depiction of the soil displacement caused by apile;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate two supplemental piles that may optionally beattached to the auger grouted displacement pile;

FIG. 6 illustrates a depiction of one grout delivery system;

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate side views of conventional pile couplings;

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a pile assembly havinga pile coupling;

FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view of the end of a pile section andflange of FIG. 8;

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate end views of pile sections and flanges;

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a pile coupling withinternal grout and an inserted rebar cage;

FIG. 12 illustrate a cross-sectional side view of a pile coupling with arock socket;

FIGS. 13-15 illustrate cross-sectional side views of pile assemblieshaving alternative pile couplings;

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate side views of pile assemblies havingalternative pile couplings;

FIG. 18 illustrates the bottom section of an auger shaft;

FIG. 19 illustrates he bottom section of another auger shaft;

FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrate another auger shaft column from a side andtop view along line A-A′, respectively; and

FIG. 21 illustrates the bottom section of another auger shaft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For a general understanding, reference is made to the drawings. In thedrawings, like references have been used throughout to designateidentical or equivalent elements. It is also noted that the drawings maynot have been drawn to scale and that certain regions may have beenpurposely drawn disproportionately so that the features and concepts maybe properly illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 1, auger grouted displacement pile 100 includes anelongated, tubular pipe 102 with a hollow central chamber 300 (see FIG.3A), a top section 104 and a bottom section 106. Bottom section 106includes a soil displacement head 108. Top section 104 includes an auger110. Soil displacement head 108 has a blade 112 that has a leading edge114 and a trailing edge 116. The leading edge 114 of blade 112 cuts intothe soil as the pile is rotated and loosens the soil at such contactpoint. The soil displacement head 108 may be equipped with a point 118to promote this cutting. The loosened soil passes over blade 112 andthereafter past trailing edge 116. Trailing edge 116 is configured tosupply grout at the position where the soil was loosened. The uppermostrotation of blade 112 includes a deformation structure 120 thatdisplaces the soil as the blade 112 cuts into the soil.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are side and perspective views of the bottom section106. Bottom section 106 includes at least one lateral compaction element200. In the embodiment shows in FIGS. 2A and 2B, there are three suchelements. The element near point 118 has a diameter less than thediameter from the element near deformation structure 120. The element inthe middle has a diameter that is between the diameters of the other twoelements. In this fashion, the soil is laterally compacted by the firstelement, more compacted by the second element (enlarging the diameter ofthe bored hole) and even more compacted by the third element. The blade112 primarily cuts into the soil and only performs minimal soilcompaction. The deformation structure 120 is disposed above the lateralcompaction elements 200. After the widest compaction element 200 hasestablished a hole with a regular diameter, deformation structure 120cuts into the edge of the hole to leave a spiral pattern in the hole'sperimeter or circumference.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, deformation structure 120 isdisposed on the top surface of blade 112. The deformation structure 120shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B is shown in profile in FIG. 2C. The structure120 has a width 202 and a height 204. As can be appreciated from FIG.2B, the height 204 changes over the length of the deformation structure120 from its greatest height at end 206 to a lesser height at end 208 asthe structure coils about tubular pipe 102 in a helical configuration.In FIG. 2B, end 206 is flush with the surface of the blade.

The deformation structure shown in FIGS. 2A through 2C is only onepossible deformation structure. Examples of other deformation structuresare illustrated in FIGS. 2D through 2J, each of which is shown from theperspective of end 206. For example, the structure may be disposed inthe middle (FIG. 2D or outside edge (FIG. 2E) of the blade. Thestructure can traverse a section of the trailing edge (FIGS. 2C through2E) or it may traverse the entire trailing edge (FIG. 2F). Thestructures need not be square or rectangular at the end 206.

Angled structures (FIGS. 2G and 2H) and stepwise structures (FIGS. 2Iand 2J) are also contemplated. Other suitable configurations would beapparent to those skilled in the art after benefiting from reading thisspecification.

Advantageously, the deformation structure provides a surface for groutto grip the soil. Grout may be administered as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIG. 3A illustrates the trailing edge 116 of soil displacement head 108of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3A, soil displacement head 108 has atrailing edge 116 that includes a means 302 for extruding grout. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 3A, means 302 is an elongated opening 304.Elongated opening 304 is defined by parallel walls 306, 308 and a distalwall 310. The elongated opening 304 is in communication with the centralchamber 300 via channels 312 in the pipe 102. Such channels 312 are influid communication with elongated opening 304 such that grout that issupplied to the central chamber 300 passes through channels 312 and outopening 304.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, channels 312 are circular holes. Aswould be appreciated by those skilled in the art after benefiting fromreading this specification, such channels may have other configurations.For example, channels 312 may be elongated channels, rather thanindividual holes. The surface of blade 112 (not shown in FIG. 3A, butsee FIG. 1) is solid such that there is no opening in the blade surfacewith openings only being present on the trailing edge. Advantageously,this avoids loosening soil by the action of grout extruding from thesurfaces and sides of the blade. FIG. 3B shows the configuration ofopening 304 relative to the configuration of trailing edge 116.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the thickness of blade 112 is substantially equalover its entire length. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, opening 304is an elongated opening that, like the blade 112, has a thickness thatis substantially equal over the width of such opening. In oneembodiment, opening 304 has a width 316 that is at least half the width314 of the trailing edge. In another embodiment, opening 304 has a width316 that is at least 80% the width 308 of the trailing edge. Thethickness 318 of the opening 304 likewise may be, for example, at least25% of the thickness 320 of the trailing edge 116.

FIG. 4 depicts the deformation of the soil caused by deformationstructure 120. During operation, the lateral compaction elements 200creates a hole 400 with the diameter of the hole being established bythe widest such element.

Since the walls of the lateral compaction elements are smooth, the holeestablished likewise has a smooth wall. Deformation structure 120 isdisposed above the lateral compaction element and cuts into the smoothwall and leaves a spiral pattern cut into the soil. The side view ofthis spiral pattern is shown as grooves 402, but it should be understoodthat the pattern continues around the circumference of the hole. Groutthat is extruded from trailing edge 116 seeps into this spiral pattern.Such a configuration increases the amount of bonding between the pileand the surrounding soil. The auger 110 of the top section 102 (seeFIG. 1) does not extrude grout. Rather, the auger 110 provides lateralsurfaces that grip the grout after it has set. The diameter of the auger110 is generally less than the diameter of the blades 112 since theauger is not primarily responsible for cutting the soil, but rather,insuring that the grout column is complete and continuous by constantlyaugering the grout downward into the voids created by the deformationstructure and the lateral displacement element. The flanges that formthe auger 110 have, in one embodiment, a width of about two inches.

The blade 112 has a helical configuration with a handedness that movessoil away from point 118 and toward the top section where it contactslateral compaction element 200. Auger 110, however, has a helicalconfiguration with a handedness opposite that of the blades 112. Thehandedness of the auger helix pushes the grout that is extruded from thetrailing edge 116 toward the bottom section. In one embodiment, theauger 110 has a pitch of from about 1.5 to 2.0 times the pitch of theblade 112. The blade may have any suitable pitch known in the art. Forexample, the blade may have a pitch of about three inches. In anotherembodiment, the blade may have a pitch of about six inches.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are depictions of two piles that may be used inconjunction with the auger grouted displacement pile of FIG. 1. FIG. 5Adepicts a pile 500 with an auger section 502 similar to those describedwith regard to FIG. 1. Such a pile may be connected to the pile ofFIG. 1. FIG. 5B is a pile 504 that lacks the auger: its surface 506 issmooth.

In some embodiments, one or more auger-including piles are topped by asmooth pile such as the pile depicted in FIG. 5B. This smooth pileavoids drag-down in compressive soils and may be desirable as the uppermost pile.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of a soil displacement head 108 that includesa plurality of mixing fins 600. Mixing fins 600 are raised fins thatextend parallel to one another over the surface of blade 112. The finsmix the grout that is extruded out of openings 304 a-304 e with thesurrounding soil as the extrusion occurs. The mixing of the grout withthe surrounding soil produces a grout/soil layer that is thicker thanthe trailing edge and, in some embodiments, produces a single column ofsolidified grout/soil.

Referring again to FIG. 6, trailing edge 116 has several openings 304a-304 e which are in fluid communication with central chamber 300. Toensure grout is delivered evenly from all of the openings, the openingdiameters are adjusted so that grout is easily extruded from the largeopenings (such as opening 304 e) while restricting the flow of groutfrom the small openings (such as opening 304 a). Since opening 304 a isnear the central chamber 300, the grout is extruded with relatively highforce. This extrusion would lower the rate at which grout is extrudedthrough the openings that are downstream from opening 304 a. Tocompensate, the diameters of each of the openings 304 a-304 e increasesas the opening is more distance from the central chamber 300.

In this manner, the volume of grout extruded over the length of trailingedge 116 is substantially even. In one embodiment, the grout is forcedthrough the pile with a pressurized grout source unit. In anotherembodiment, the grout is allowed to flow through the system using theweight of the grout itself to cause the grout to flow. In oneembodiment, the rate of extrusion of the grout is proportional to therate of rotation of the pile.

Referring to FIGS. 8, 9, 10A, and 10B, there is shown a pile assemblywith a specific pile coupling. Conventional coupling piles 700, 702 or704 may also be used (see FIGS. 7A to 7C). The assembly 800 includes twopile sections 802 a and 802 b, each of which is affixed to or integralwith a respective flange 804 a and 804 b. Although only portions of pilesections 802 a and 802 b and one coupling are shown, the assembly 800may include any number of pile sections connected in series with thecoupling of the present invention.

The flanges 804 a and 804 b each include a number of clearance holes1000 spaced apart on the flanges such that the holes 1000 line up whenthe flange 804 a is abutted against flange 804 b. The abutting flanges804 a and 804 b are secured by fasteners 806, such as the bolts shown inFIG. 8, or any other suitable fastener. The fasteners 806 pass throughthe holes 1000 such that they are oriented in a direction substantiallyparallel to the axis of the pile. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 10A,the flange 804 a includes six spaced holes 1000. In another embodiment,shown in FIG. 10B, the flange 804 a includes eight spaced holes 1000.The eight-hole embodiment allows more fasteners 806 to be used forapplications requiring a stronger coupling while the six-hole embodimentis economically advantageous allowing for fewer, yet evenly-spaced,fasteners 806.

In another embodiment, the flanges 804 a, 804 b are in each in a planethat is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pilesections 802 a, 802 b. Particularly, at least one surface, such as theinterface surface 900 (FIG. 9) extends in the substantially transverseplane. Further, the flanges 804 a, 804 b are slender and project a shortdistance from the pile sections 802 a, 802 b in the preferredembodiment. This minimizes the interaction of the flanges with the soil.

The vertical orientation of the fasteners allows the pile sections to beassembled without vertical slop or lateral deflection. Thus theassembled pile sections support the weight of a structure as well asupward and horizontal forces, such as those caused by the structuremoving in the wind or due to an earthquake. Further, because thefasteners are vertically oriented, an upward force is applied along theaxis of the fastener. Fasteners tend to be stronger along the axis thanunder shear stress.

In a particular embodiment, the pile sections 802 a and 802 b are about3 inches in diameter or greater such that the piles support themselveswithout the need for grout reinforcement, though grout or anothermaterial may be used for added support as desired.

Since the flanges 804 a, 804 b may cause a gap to form between the wallsof the pile sections 802 a, 802 b and the soil as the pile sections aredriven into the soil, one may want to increase the skin friction betweenthe pile sections and the soil for additional support capacity for thepile assembly 800 by adding a filler material 808 to fill the voidsbetween the piles and the soil. The material 808 may also preventcorrosion. The material 808 may be any grout, a polymer coating, aflowable fill, or the like. Alternatively, the assembly 800 may be usedwith smaller piles, such as 1.5 inch diameter pile sections, which maybe reinforced with grout. The pile sections 802 a, 802 b may be anysubstantially rigid material, such as steel or aluminum. One or more ofthe pile sections in the assembly 800 may be helical piles.

In a particular embodiment, the pile sections 802 a, 802 b are tubeshaving a circular cross-section, though any cross-sectional shape may beused, such as rectangles and other polygons. A particular advantage ofthe present invention over conventional pile couplings is that thecouplings in the assembly 800 do not pass fasteners 806 through theinterior of the pile tube. This leaves the interior of the assembledpile sections open so that grout or concrete may be easily introduced tothe pile tube along the length of all the assembled pile sections.Further, a reinforcing structure, such as a rebar cage that may bedropped into the pile tube, may be used with the internal concrete. FIG.11 shows such a cage 1100 with internal grout 1102 providing aparticularly robust pile assembly 800.

In a further particular embodiment, the invention is used in conjunctionwith a rock socket. As shown in FIG. 12, the rock socket 1200 is formedby driving the pile sections into the ground and assembling themaccording to the invention until the first pile section hits the bedrock1202. A drill is passed through the pile tube to drill into the bedrock1202, forming hole 1203, and then concrete 1204 is introduced into thepile tube to fill the hole in the bedrock and at least a portion of thepile tube. This provides a strong connection between the assembled pilesections and the bedrock 1202.

In an alternative configuration of the pile assembly 800, the flanges804 a, 804 b are welded to or formed in the outer surface of therespective pile sections 802 a, 802 b as shown in FIG. 13 as opposed tothe ends of the pile sections as shown in FIG. 8.

This allows the pile sections 802 a, 802 b to abut one another and thusprovide a direct transfer of the load between the pile sections. In afurther alternative configuration a gasket or o-ring is used to make thepile watertight. This has a particular advantage when passing throughground water or saturated soils. This feature keeps the interior of thepile clean and dry for the installation of concrete or other medium. Italso provides a pressure tight conduit for pressurized grout injectionthrough the pile and into the displacement head or any portion of thepile shaft that it is deemed most advantageous to the pile design.

In a further alternative configuration, an alignment sleeve 1400 isincluded at the interface of the pile sections 802 a, 802 b as shown inFIG. 14. The alignment sleeve 1400 is installed with an interferencefit, adhesive, welds, equivalents thereof, or combinations thereof. Thealignment sleeve 1400 may be used with any of the embodiments describedherein.

A pile assembly 1500 having an alternative coupling is shown in FIG. 15.The assembly 1500 includes pile sections 1502 a and 1502 b havingintegral filleted flanges 1504 a and 1504 b. The fillets 1505 a, 1505 bprovide a stronger coupling and potentially ease the motion of the pilesections through soil. Similarly to the previous embodiments, theflanges 1504 a, 1504 b include several clearance holes for fasteners806, and the assembly 1500 may be coated with or reinforced by a groutor other material 808.

In a further alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 15, 16 and 17, thepile assembly 1600 includes a coupling between the pile sections 1602 a,1602 b with torsion resistance. In FIG. 15, the flanges are omitted forsimplicity. The pile sections 1602 a, 1602 b include respective teeth1604 a and 1604 b that interlock to provide adjacent surfaces betweenthe pile sections 1602 a, 1602 b that are not perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the pile sections. (While teeth having verticalwalls are shown, teeth with slanted or curved walls may be used.) Theteeth 1604 a, 1604 b may be integrally formed with the respective pilesections 1602 a, 1602 b. Alternatively, the teeth may be affixed to therespective pile sections.

In FIG. 16, the flanges 1606 a, 1606 b are shown with respectiveinterlocking teeth 1608 a, 1608 b. The teeth 1608 a, 1608 b may beintegrally formed with the respective flanges 1606 a, 1606 b.Alternatively, the teeth may be affixed to the respective flanges. Theflanges 1606 a, 1606 b (see FIG. 17) may be used with pile sections 802a, 802 b according to the first embodiment, pile sections 1602 a, 1602 bhaving teeth 1604 a, 1604 b, or other pile sections.

In the previous embodiments, any twisting forces on the pile sections,which would be expected especially when one or more of the pile sectionsis a helical pile, are transferred from one pile to the next through thefasteners 806. This places undesirable shear stresses on the fasteners806. The interlocking teeth of the present embodiment provide adjacentsurfaces between the pile sections that transfer torsion between thepile sections to thereby reduce the shear stresses on the fasteners 806.

It should be noted that the manifold connections in the above-describedembodiments each provide a continuous plane along the length of theassembled pile sections allowing for neither lateral deflection norvertical compression or tension loads. It should be further noted thatfeatures of the above-described embodiments may be combined in part orin total to form additional configurations and embodiments within thescope of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 18, the bottom section 1806 of another augergrouted displacement pile is shown. The end of top section 1804 is shownwhich includes auger 1810, which is similar to auger 110. Both auger1810 and helical blade 1812 coil about shaft 1802. Shaft 1802 may behollow or solid. In those embodiments where auger 1810 is present, thediameter of auger 1810 is smaller than the diameter of blades 1812.During installation, auger 1810 acts to push grout downward towardblades 1812. After the grout has set, the lateral surfaces of auger 1810help transfer the load from the pile shaft into the grout column and thesurrounding soils. Attached to the side of shaft 1802 is lateralcompaction projection 1818.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18, projection 1818 is a gussetthat spans between adjacent coils of blade 1812 and also contactstrailing edge 1816 of blade 1812. In one such embodiment, the gusset iswelded to both of the adjacent coils of blade 1812.

In another embodiment, the lateral compaction projection is monolithicwith respect to the shaft. In use, lateral compaction projection 1818establishes a regular circumference which is subsequently filled withgrout. For example, grout may be added around the shaft from its topduring the installation of the shaft into the supporting medium. In oneembodiment, lateral compaction projection 1818 is monolithic with regardto the shaft 1802. In another embodiment, lateral compaction projection1818 is welded to shaft 1802.

FIG. 19 depicts another auger grouted displacement pile. The pile ofFIG. 19 also includes a lateral compaction projection 1818 but theprojection is disposed above the topmost fighting of the helical blade1812 and below the bottommost flighting of the helical auger 1810. Inthe depicted embodiment, lateral compaction projection 1818 directlycontacts the leading edge 1814 of auger 1810 and the trailing edge 1816of blade 1812. In one such embodiment, the compaction projection 1818 iswelded to one or both of auger 1810 and helical blade 1812 at the pointof direct contact.

In another embodiment, the projection 1818 is between the bottommost andtopmost flightings but is separated therefrom. The embodiment of FIG. 19also differs from that of FIG. 18 in that it includes deformationstructure 1820. Like deformation structure 120, deformation structure1820 forms irregularities in the circumference after compaction by thelateral compaction protrusion 1818. In FIG. 19, deformation structure1820 extends laterally from lateral compaction protrusion 1818.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are similar to FIG. 19 except in that the lateralcompaction projection 1818 and the deformation structure 1820 areelongated and wrap about a portion of the pile. In one aspect, a rangebetween 45 and 360 degrees is covered by deformation structure 1820,including any sub-range between.

FIG. 20A provides a profile view while FIG. 20B shows a top view alongline A-A′. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 20B, the compactionprojection 1818 and deformation structure 1820 wraps about the pile tocover about 90 degrees. In another embodiment, at least about 45 degreesare covered. In another embodiment, at least about 180 degrees arecovered.

In yet another embodiment, the entire surface (360 degrees) is covered.In yet another embodiment, more than 360 degrees is covered (e.g.multiple turns of a helix). The embodiment of FIGS. 20A and 20B show thewidth of compaction projection 1818 and deformation structure 1820 asdiminishing over their length as the structure progresses around thecircumference of the shaft. In another embodiment, the widths areconsistent over their length. In yet another embodiment, the widthincreases as the structure progresses around the circumference of theshaft.

The embodiment of FIG. 20A includes a leading helix 2000 which is spacedapart from helical blade 1812 and lateral displacement projection 1818.Leading helix 2000 may be on the same shaft (e.g. monolithic or weldedto the same shaft) as helical blade 1812 or may be on a separate shaftthat is attached to the bottom section of the pile. In those situationswhere high density soil is disposed under a layer of loose, oftencorrosive soil, such a leading helix 2000 is particular advantageous.

The leading helix 2000 penetrates the dense soil while the helical blade1812 and the lateral displacement projection 1818 remain in the loosersoil. The grout that fills the bore diameter protects the column fromthe corrosive soil while the leading helix 2000 is securely imbedded inthe denser soil.

FIG. 21 depicts the bottom section 1806 of another auger shaft which issimilar to the shaft of FIG. 18 except in that deformation structure2100 is attached to the topmost flighting of helical blade 1812. In theembodiment of FIG. 21, deformation structure 2100 is a helix having asame handedness as helical blade 1812 but a pitch that differs from thepitch of blade 1812. The deformation structure 2100 is positioned abovecompaction projection 1818 such that irregularities are formed in thecircumference.

It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed embodimentsand other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may bedesirably combined into many other different systems or applications.Also, various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives,modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequentlymade by those skilled in the art which are also intended to beencompassed by the description above.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pile for being placed in a supporting mediumcomprising: an elongated pile shaft; a helical blade, operativelyconnected to said elongated pile shaft, having a leading edge and atrailing edge and configured to move the pile into the supportingmedium; a lateral compaction protrusion to create a bore, within thesupporting medium, having a diameter larger than a diameter of saidelongated pile shaft; and a deformation structure to form a deformationin a wall of the bore created by said lateral compaction protrusion. 2.The pile, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a helical auger,operatively connected to said elongated pile shaft, configured to movematerial; said helical blade having a first handedness; said helicalauger having a second handedness; said first handedness being differentthan said second handedness.
 3. The pile, as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid deformation is a helical deformation in the wall of the borecreated by said lateral compaction protrusion.
 4. The pile, as claimedin claim 1, wherein said deformation structure is located on saidelongated pile shaft and said trailing edge of said helical blade. 5.The pile, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said deformation structure islocated on said elongated pile shaft between said helical blade and saidhelical auger.
 6. The pile, as claimed in claim 1, wherein saiddeformation structure extends further from said elongated pile shaftthan said lateral compaction protrusion extends from said elongated pileshaft.
 7. A pile for being placed in a supporting medium comprising: anelongated pile shaft; soil displacement head, operatively connected tosaid elongated pile shaft, configured to move the pile into thesupporting medium and to create a bore in the supporting medium; ahelical auger, operatively connected to said elongated pile shaft,configured to move material; and a deformation structure, located onsaid elongated pile shaft between said soil displacement head and saidhelical auger, to form a deformation in a wall of the bore created bysaid soil displacement head.
 8. The pile, as claimed in claim 7, whereinsaid deformation is a helical deformation in the wall of the bore.
 9. Apile for being placed in a supporting medium comprising: an elongatedpile shaft; a helical blade, operatively connected to said elongatedpile shaft, having a leading edge and a trailing edge and configured tomove the pile into the supporting medium; a helical auger, operativelyconnected to said elongated pile shaft, configured to move material; anda lateral compaction protrusion, located on said elongated pile shaft,to create a bore within the supporting medium.
 10. The pile as claimedin claim 9, further comprising: a deformation structure, located on saidlateral compaction protrusion, to form a deformation in a wall of thebore created by said lateral compaction protrusion.
 11. The pile asclaimed in claim 9, further comprising: a deformation structure, locatedon said elongated pile shaft above said trailing edge of said helicalblade, to form a deformation in a wall of the bore created by saidlateral compaction protrusion.
 12. The pile, as claimed in claim 9,wherein said helical blade has a first handedness; said helical augerhaving a second handedness; said first handedness being different thansaid second handedness.
 13. The pile, as claimed in claim 10, whereinsaid deformation structure extends further from said elongated pileshaft than said lateral compaction protrusion extends from saidelongated pile shaft.
 14. The pile, as claimed in claim 11, wherein saiddeformation structure extends further from said elongated pile shaftthan said lateral compaction protrusion extends from said elongated pileshaft.
 15. The pile, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said deformation isa helical deformation in the wall of the bore.
 16. The pile, as claimedin claim 11, wherein said deformation is a helical deformation in thewall of the bore.